Hi there as a newbie here and trying to find my way around, I have liver churros is and have just had my second set of varicies banding, I was just wondering has anyone flown on holiday since this , and has all been ok.
Also I was due to have gastric banding but my doctor that does the banding etc has said I should not have this done as , as he puts it I have so much going on down there my body would not cope, well gutted.
Also hope to meet some new friends here so to support each other
I had gastric banding in 2007. This was long before I developed cirrhosis. Personally I regret having it done as it has caused on going problems with digesting food. Anything remotely tough or fibrous will make me vomit. I went out for lunch yesterday and had a chicken breast, it was a little dry and I vomited. I would have it removed but as I had it done privately the nhs won't reverse it and I don't have the money to pay for surgery myself. I hope you get the advice you need from the lovely people here on the forum. Good luck. Deb
I had banding done a few times when I was diagnosed, and still flew (once only a week after the procedure). Had no ill affects at all, but they were only short flights of 2 to 3 hours. I'd say just ask your Doctor.
Yes i have had banding done and flown to New York, and Evan flew to Australia last year. Make sure you have a good insurance that will cover you for cirrhosis and varacies. I didn’t have any problems.
Wackie Jacqui
Hi Jaqui, I don't have any varices except in my spleen which is apparently not particularly dangerous. I am flying to Bali next April but when I contacted saga travel insurance which we've used before they won't cover me as I'm having on going tests. Could you tell me who you used? Thanks, Deb
You should check with your own medical team regarding the status of your varices and whether it would be advisable to fly. You will need really good medical insurance for a foreign trip with varices. We have had members on here who have had massive bleeds during flights due to the increased pressure in the air and have had to have planes make emergency landings to allow immediate hospital treatment.
Your doctor will really need to give you the all clear to fly - especially if it were a long haul journey.
Katie
For what it's worth air pressure on an aeroplane is lower than at sea level. It's more that if you start bleeding (or get fluid on your lungs i.e edema) you're quite far from anyone that can reasonably do anything to help
That's sort of the answer I was looking for for my husband. That it's more about the length of the flight and not being near a hospital for an emergency than the cabin pressure on the flight causing a problem. Did somebody who really knew tell you that?
Hi Nuttieliscious, yes have had my varices banded and gone on holidays after. You need to get proper holiday insurance and declare these but I think I was advised to wait 3 weeks after having them done.
Hi
My husband had a year of banding back in 2014 and was told by his consultant not to fly even short haul until all banding had been completed and then he had to wait for a further 3 months. It would seem that all consultants have their own point of view so you have to be guided by them.
As everyone else says make sure you declare it on your travel insurance - yes it will put the rate up but you will know that you are fully covered.
Good luck and hope all goes well.
xx
Hi there, nice to meet you on here. Just to say last August after having banding done and I have immense problems with cirhossis my hepatologist allowed me to fly to Corfu provided I got decent medical insurance, wear flight socks and to drink loads of water and obviously no alcohol. It's him you need the permission off. Sorry about gastric band. This site is very friendly so your amongst friends.
Best wishes,, Julie x
Welcome to the forum.
If you have cirrhosis and have had variceal banding it is VERY important that your liver specialist sees you and you have a medical assessment before you make any plans to fly.
If you are assessed medically fit by your doctor, then you will need adequate insurance. We do hold a list of insurance companies on our website, and whilst we cannot guarentee they cover every liver condtion it may be of use;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...
We hope you find our forum a supportive place to visit,
Best wishes
Trust1
Varices and banding 
Banding for varices
Varices and Banding
Variceal banding
